Eden Valley Region

Location
 Zone - Barossa within Adelaide Super Zone
State - South Australia

Map Reference
 Latitude 34 degrees and 35 minutes South
Longitude 139 degrees and 00 minutes East

Elevation
 200 - 400 metres above sea level

Subregions
 High Eden, Springton

Introduction
 Captain Joseph Gilbert planted the first vines at Pewsey Vale vineyard in 1847, the same year as Johann Gramp planted the first vines in the Barossa Valley. By 1862 he had established a substantial vineyard, cellar and sixteen acres of vines were under production. He was producing Riesling, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. The high country of the Eden Valley has a long history of viticulture, and it covers an area as large as the Barossa Valley. Because the landscape is so varied, and the climate balanced, it produces a range of excellent wines. It is famous for Riesling, competing for domination with the Clare Valley, but it is also renowned for Shiraz. Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot all also do well.
Primary Grape Varieties
White
 Semillon 845 ha
Riesling 830 ha
Chardonnay 745 ha
Sauvignon Blanc 135 ha
Chenin Blanc 100 ha
Muscadelle 100 ha
Other 280 ha
Total White 3035 ha
Red
 Shiraz 3265 ha
Cabernet Sauvignon 1275 ha
Grenache 680 ha
Merlot 235 ha
Pinot Noir 185 ha
Mourvedre 110 ha
Other 175 ha
Total Red 5925 ha

Note: these figures are combined for the Barossa and Eden Valleys.
Primary Wine Styles

Riesling
Naturally the most important white grape variety and wine of the region, developing strong limejuice aromas and flavours and with great intensity of flavour on the palate, when maturing infused with touches of lightly browned toast. Quality Eden Valley Riesling made in traditional fashion will take ten years or more to reach its peak.

Chardonnay
The variety, a relative newcomer, has demonstrated to be highly successful with rich and complex wines being produced. Their flavours are a classic array of melon, fig and cashew. The only predicament is the low yield from vineyards ineffectually protected from the wind.

Shiraz
Ranks on a par with Riesling as the most important and most highly regarded wine of the region. The wine tends to be with luscious plum and black cherry fruit characters, sometimes with touches of liquorice, and more foresty characters. Structurally the wines are very smooth, with tannins well balanced and integrated assuring a long life. Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz is the star of Eden Valley.

Cabernet Sauvignon
The wines produced from vineyards around the Eden Valley are of the highest quality, with flawlessly ripened fruit flavours, but those from higher, cooler sites display more elegant dark berry characters with green leaf undertones.